British Airways DEP Selection - THE lowdown Part 2
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It wasn't my intention to set one group against the other, I wish BMI pilots all the best. I'm glad that you've come out of this relatively unscathed. I just hope in the not too distant future that the requirement for 100 extra pilots a year materializes and we can all just get on with it and forget this unfortunate, uncertain waiting period. 
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Jockster... "A fair few current BMI pilots have been through the system and failed"
Threethirty... "300 odd bmi pilots go through without selection, half of which would probably have failed the recruitment screening process in ordinary times"
I'm not sure where you guys are getting your information from or whether you are just voicing opinions out of stress and bitterness but of the 22 bmi pilots I know who applied for the DEP program at BA only 1 pilot wasn't offered a place!
I would say that speaks pretty highly of bmi flightdeck
Threethirty... "300 odd bmi pilots go through without selection, half of which would probably have failed the recruitment screening process in ordinary times"
I'm not sure where you guys are getting your information from or whether you are just voicing opinions out of stress and bitterness but of the 22 bmi pilots I know who applied for the DEP program at BA only 1 pilot wasn't offered a place!
I would say that speaks pretty highly of bmi flightdeck
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The BMI guys have been operating out of Heathrow for years, if you were running close on the ILS you always wanted a BMI in front as they were always quick off the runway, polite on the radio and generally good operators.
Given all the above I'm sure they will all enjoy their time in BA, at the coal face the operation isn't any different. No one cares whether or not they would/wouldn't have passed the HR hoop jumping competition, the procurement has given them direct entry. Well done, good luck and welcome.
Due to bringing so many airframes with them the numbers of pilots is, from a recruitment perspective, irrelevant. What has happened is that there is no spare training capacity on the Airbus fleet (LPC/OPC & differences training to be done) and they are holding back SH to LH transfer to maintain some experience on the 'Bus.
Once completed and given the economic enviroment we might see the DEP process pick up again. If/when the recovery comes BA will need the numbers ready.
Given all the above I'm sure they will all enjoy their time in BA, at the coal face the operation isn't any different. No one cares whether or not they would/wouldn't have passed the HR hoop jumping competition, the procurement has given them direct entry. Well done, good luck and welcome.
Due to bringing so many airframes with them the numbers of pilots is, from a recruitment perspective, irrelevant. What has happened is that there is no spare training capacity on the Airbus fleet (LPC/OPC & differences training to be done) and they are holding back SH to LH transfer to maintain some experience on the 'Bus.
Once completed and given the economic enviroment we might see the DEP process pick up again. If/when the recovery comes BA will need the numbers ready.
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Wirbelsturm...
Your points and views are factual, unbiased and sensible...... I'm not sure there is any place for you on this forum
Your points and views are factual, unbiased and sensible...... I'm not sure there is any place for you on this forum
Last edited by one day soon; 26th May 2012 at 13:50.
L'enfant Terrible
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Bex, the only thing I'd query is your numbers for those in the pool. I was number 60 a couple of weeks ago and was under the impression there were around 80 swimming.
Ho hum, looks like I'd better start packing my camel for the sandpit.
Ho hum, looks like I'd better start packing my camel for the sandpit.
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smilingknifed: the numbers were rolling thick and fast and the discussion covered many things. I seem to recall a figure of around 80 total but I thought that was for everyone including the 30 (ish) in training and the 40 (ish) in the pool. I would not look to pack your bags yet. It would appear that recruitment is not foreseen for the rest of this year but all the talk was very positive and I expect the machine to start delivering pilots to the line training phase maybe just after march 31st next year. Thats just my take on it, but what I would say is the representative who spoke openly talked about the hold pool and was aware of who they had in the pipe line. The integration is a huge task and I think that has just temporarily paused the DEP. I know that may not make you feel better right now but I hope it will ease your concerns.
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I WOULD recommend packing your bags. As pilots we plan for the worst and hope for the best - we should always have a back up. Overly optimistic pilots tend to have things catch up with them sooner or later.
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It wasn't my intention to set one group against the other, I wish BMI pilots all the best. I'm glad that you've come out of this relatively unscathed. I just hope in the not too distant future that the requirement for 100 extra pilots a year materializes and we can all just get on with it and forget this unfortunate, uncertain waiting period
Well thats a new take on the matter.
Perhaps it might be wise to reflect on how many pilots fit into this category before anticipating when you get to start wearing a blue hat.
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BMI/DEP
Bex88 mentions the 'in training' guys joining AFTER the BMI (or ex-BMI) guys, at the risk of opening up another can of discontent, does anyone know if the DEPs about to start are ahead or behind the BMI joiners on the MSL or if the separate bubble is happening? Just curious.
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Cattivo,
On the P2 320 Bid Pack for June the seniority numbers go down to 3330 ish (don't have it on me rite now to give exact numbers) and then jumps to around the 3750 mark with the DEP chaps & chapesses that started this month. Therefore seniority numbers have been reserved for bmi with DEP's behind these numbers. I could be wrong but I believe the cut off date was April the 20th I.e all bmi mainline flt deck have a BA DOJ of 20/04/2012.
However the TUPE talks are still going on and nothing is set in stone... But for argument sake even if the guys did keep their seniority any DEP joining now would be behind the 350-400 bmi guys as they are officially starting BA behind them!
All I can say is I have been in BA for nearly 5 months, not including bmi, at present I have around 40-45 bellow me on the airbus (again I don't have the bid pack on me rite now to give exact numbers) and I'm extremely happy. On a blind line this month I have had 16 days off and a great variety of trips and single day trips. You have the option to top up work on emiestro for overtime and extra allowances... Last month I needed 2 particular days off for a family doo, I bid and got them off with 13 days off last month. It is the most flexible company i have worked for. The point I'm making is that I'm still a newby here and already I'm getting most of what I want (no weekends for a while yet) even at the bottom. It is worth the wait and my situation proves its great no matter where you are on the list, you just need to get on it!
For those waiting for a sim check that's not a bad place to be(I may be wrong again) but I don't believe that your interview has a time limit like the hold pool has of 18 months. Once things settle down with the bmi integration BA will most def will be recruiting DEP's, already in the press and internal mail we're starting new routes to Soeul and wanting to expand china, plus 3new short haul routes that I'm aware of. We need pilots! I was in the hold pool for nearly 10 months plus the 3 months of notice of a course so I know how many of you feel. It is worth the wait, no matter wether your infront or behind the bmi gang!
Stay positive, I hope this helps and I wish you all the best of luck,
On the P2 320 Bid Pack for June the seniority numbers go down to 3330 ish (don't have it on me rite now to give exact numbers) and then jumps to around the 3750 mark with the DEP chaps & chapesses that started this month. Therefore seniority numbers have been reserved for bmi with DEP's behind these numbers. I could be wrong but I believe the cut off date was April the 20th I.e all bmi mainline flt deck have a BA DOJ of 20/04/2012.
However the TUPE talks are still going on and nothing is set in stone... But for argument sake even if the guys did keep their seniority any DEP joining now would be behind the 350-400 bmi guys as they are officially starting BA behind them!
All I can say is I have been in BA for nearly 5 months, not including bmi, at present I have around 40-45 bellow me on the airbus (again I don't have the bid pack on me rite now to give exact numbers) and I'm extremely happy. On a blind line this month I have had 16 days off and a great variety of trips and single day trips. You have the option to top up work on emiestro for overtime and extra allowances... Last month I needed 2 particular days off for a family doo, I bid and got them off with 13 days off last month. It is the most flexible company i have worked for. The point I'm making is that I'm still a newby here and already I'm getting most of what I want (no weekends for a while yet) even at the bottom. It is worth the wait and my situation proves its great no matter where you are on the list, you just need to get on it!
For those waiting for a sim check that's not a bad place to be(I may be wrong again) but I don't believe that your interview has a time limit like the hold pool has of 18 months. Once things settle down with the bmi integration BA will most def will be recruiting DEP's, already in the press and internal mail we're starting new routes to Soeul and wanting to expand china, plus 3new short haul routes that I'm aware of. We need pilots! I was in the hold pool for nearly 10 months plus the 3 months of notice of a course so I know how many of you feel. It is worth the wait, no matter wether your infront or behind the bmi gang!
Stay positive, I hope this helps and I wish you all the best of luck,
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Could anyone pleases explain when the 18 months start counting and whether as long as you receive a course offer inside the 18 months regardless if the start date is past the 18 months?
Thanks
Thanks
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Eagle21, Anyone else thats interested,
The "expiry" date of the hold pool has been remarkably flexible over the years dependant on individual circumstances, however, as a ball park, if they want to, they will stretch it to the date of your sim check.
Thats what they did last time when we all went time expired........
Bex: Your numbers on the hold-pool are wrong as SK says. c.80 in the pool which consitute about 50 WITH and 30 WITHOUT a BA type. No FPP cadets included on that yet.
That is all for now.
The "expiry" date of the hold pool has been remarkably flexible over the years dependant on individual circumstances, however, as a ball park, if they want to, they will stretch it to the date of your sim check.
Thats what they did last time when we all went time expired........
Bex: Your numbers on the hold-pool are wrong as SK says. c.80 in the pool which consitute about 50 WITH and 30 WITHOUT a BA type. No FPP cadets included on that yet.
That is all for now.
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I stand corrected sorry if those wrong figures got anyone concerned I try to only input what i know to be correct and what may help. As said above my impression was it was 30 odd in training and 40 in the pool totaling 70 ish all in who are not online yet. Hope its not long before they start calling guys from the pool 
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For those in limbo between stage one assessment and stage two sim, that's not a bad place to be in my opinion. Time is on your side; BA will have to recruit again and you are in the optimum position along with the FPP guys who are currently in initial training. I have no doubt that BA will be back in touch, however in my mind it looks increasingly like it will be in 2013 - so hold tight.
Credit where credit is due to those in BA who have supplied hold poolers with updates. Even when there has been little to update, particular members of personnel at Cranebank have tried their upmost to be sympathetic and reassuring. However the recruiters have a very difficult job at the moment as the bmi merger, amongst other things, has created a lot of uncertainty. The lay of the land, so to speak, has changed dramatically since those in the pool applied for and were assessed for positions as BA flight crew.
I don't want to whinge on about the precarious position of those in the pool. We've been unlucky, but that's life and business is business. Many of it's occupants remain reassuringly optimistic as time ticks by; which is great as it keeps the mood buoyant.
The information that I am relatively convinced about is that the pool contents are in the region of 80 people with around 60% currently rated on a BA type. Hold pool waiting times were extended to 18 months for those reaching 12 months tenure. This extension is from the date of your simulator assessment. The last DEP course was April 2012. Training capacity is being dedicated to bmi mainline integration.
There is some suggestion that the current pool may shrink slightly due to members undertaking other opportunities, whether that be through necessity or choice, however I am relatively convinced that the vast majority will hold on until the final word is received.
Best of luck to everyone concerned, within the pool or otherwise.
Credit where credit is due to those in BA who have supplied hold poolers with updates. Even when there has been little to update, particular members of personnel at Cranebank have tried their upmost to be sympathetic and reassuring. However the recruiters have a very difficult job at the moment as the bmi merger, amongst other things, has created a lot of uncertainty. The lay of the land, so to speak, has changed dramatically since those in the pool applied for and were assessed for positions as BA flight crew.
I don't want to whinge on about the precarious position of those in the pool. We've been unlucky, but that's life and business is business. Many of it's occupants remain reassuringly optimistic as time ticks by; which is great as it keeps the mood buoyant.
The information that I am relatively convinced about is that the pool contents are in the region of 80 people with around 60% currently rated on a BA type. Hold pool waiting times were extended to 18 months for those reaching 12 months tenure. This extension is from the date of your simulator assessment. The last DEP course was April 2012. Training capacity is being dedicated to bmi mainline integration.
There is some suggestion that the current pool may shrink slightly due to members undertaking other opportunities, whether that be through necessity or choice, however I am relatively convinced that the vast majority will hold on until the final word is received.
Best of luck to everyone concerned, within the pool or otherwise.
Last edited by Callsign Kilo; 29th May 2012 at 11:54.
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Callsign Kilo
Slight correction to your post, the last DEP course is scheduled for mid-June, there have been courses through May also. As you say, I think any info for hold poolers is better than none.
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Ex-Military Recruitment...
BA Recruitment
Thoughts from anyone? Could there be some good news for holdpoolers towards the end of this year if they are still recruiting?
I'm still hopeful
Thoughts from anyone? Could there be some good news for holdpoolers towards the end of this year if they are still recruiting?
I'm still hopeful
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Mike, your optimism has to be admired! And much as I would like to share it, I cannot! Bearing in mind that every time there has been an update, our predicament got marginally worse, I feel that unless a miracle happens and a huge group of people decide to retire early or there is a rethink on the whole BMI issue in some way, or a sudden expansion is on the cards, I cannot see this turn around. I'd love to be proven wrong of course
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As part of the comms re. BMI integration, latest info is that recruitment will re-commence next July. As the first group of FPP are scheduled to finish around this time, it may, or may not include DEP.
